Service Announces First-Ever Call for Wildlife Grant Proposals From Indian Tribes

July 29, 2003

Contact: David Redhorse, 303-236-7917 x 253

SERVICE ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER CALL FOR WILDLIFE GRANT PROPOSALS FROM INDIAN TRIBES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its first-ever call for funding proposals from federally-recognized Indian tribes under the new Tribal Landowner Incentive Program and Tribal Wildlife Grants program.

"These innovative grant programs are a two-way street. They will strengthen the ongoing partnership between the Service and America’s tribes, providing tribes needed support to help restore wildlife and wildlife habitat," said Service Director Steve Williams. "In return, the grant proposals will give the Service a closer look at tribal priorities so we can be a better-informed partner."

The Tribal Landowner Incentive Grants Program, as authorized by Congress, provides $3.97million in a competitive grant program for federally-recognized Indian tribes to address protection, restoration, and management of habitat to benefit species at-risk, including federally-listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed or candidate species. At least 25 percent of the costs associated with each funded project must be covered by non-federal funds.

The $9.97million Tribal Wildlife Grant Program, as authorized by Congress, is also competitive. It will support projects designed to benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.

Only federally-recognized Indian tribes are eligible to apply for. Although matching funds are not required for Tribal Wildlife grants, they are considered an indicator of tribal commitment to the project.

Proposals for funding for both Tribal Landowner Incentive grants and Tribal Wildlife grants must be submitted by September 11, 2003 to the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s regional office. http://www.grants.fws.gov.html

Regional correspondence and telephone contacts for the Service for additional information on or assistance in submitting grant proposals are as follows:

Region 1--Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and California Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, T-LIP Contact: Scott Aiken (503) 231-6121

Region 2--Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue, SW., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, T-LIP Contact: John Antonio (505) 248-6810

Region 3--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, One Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota, T-LIP Contact: John Leonard (612) 713- 5108

Region 4--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 410, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, T-LIP Contact: Jim Brown (404) 679-7125

Region 5--Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589, T-LIP Contact: D.J. Monette (413) 253-8662 or (609) 646-9310

Region 6--Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 25486-- DFC, Denver, Colorado 80225-0486, T-LIP Contact: David Redhorse (303) 236-7917 x253

Region 7--Alaska Native American Liaison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199, T-LIP Contact: Tony DeGange (907) 786-3492.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

- FWS -

For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov

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